TYNEDALE is perhaps the last place you expect to find an exotic snake slithering across the countryside, but that wasn’t the case after one turned up by a roadside hedge.

A corn snake, commonly kept as pets because of their harmless nature, was discovered by the hedge in Fourstones, before being taken to the nearby Frankham Kennels in the village.

An RSPCA officer visited the kennels, which specialises in dogs and cats, and took the snake to a vet.

It is understood the snake had been accidentally run over by a tractor, and it later died during specialist surgery.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the RSPCA to be called about unwanted abandoned exotic animals.

“Leaving any animal to fend for themselves is cruel and leaves them open to danger, as we have seen in this very sad incident.

“We urge people to think twice before taking on pets without fully considering their responsibility to care for them.”